Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SUPERSTISHUS, by BURGES JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SUPERSTISHUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Onct I went a-fishin' with a man what had a reel
Last Line: But I guess lots o' things is so 'at some folks never knew!
Subject(s): Children; Superstition; Childhood


Onct I went a-fishin' with a man what had a reel
An' fancy hooks an' catgut an' a fish-pole made o' steel;
He never got a single bite from early until late,
Just 'cuz he didn't take no stock in spittin' on th' bait.
Yes, he can laff an' jeer, but where's his fish, I'd like ter know?
Oh, I guess lots o' things is true 'at some folks say ain't so!

D'jever drop a horse-hair into th' wat'rin'-trough
An' leave it there fer weeks an' weeks 'thout drainin' of it off?
An' ef you use a human hair they say it only takes
Jes' half as long—but anyhow, it turns 'em into snakes!
An' ef a feller don't believe a half the things he hears
A darnin' needle comes along an' sews up both his ears!

Our cook, she's superstishus—she's scared as anythin'
If someone spills a little salt er don't pick up a pin.
An' when I wuz a kid I'd walk down to th' gate an' back,
An' think that I wuz poisoned if my foot stepped on a crack!
I know them things is silly—I cross my heart I do—
But I guess lots o' things is so 'at some folks never knew!





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